The research aims to highlight cultural values and norms that are impeding practices related to child marriage in Red Sea State. The paper focuses on the concept and analytical approach to assess child marriage as one form of the various forms of marital relations. The paper analyzed the interaction relationship between early marriage practices in certain RSS localities with local community perceptions and traditional beliefs. The methodology to achieve the objectives were based on descriptive analytic approaches based on interviews, case studies and questionnaires for households in three localities namely, Sinkat, Haya and Toker. Research for early marriage are linked to the desire of relatives to preserve wealth, purity and fear of shame which girls may be subjected to with delayed marriage. It is seen as simple, non costly marriage which goes hand in hand with other values of rural areas. The impact of early marriage on social and cultural fabric was not clearly understood by locality inhabitant as 60% of the society reflected positively on the advantages of the phenomena. Fifty nine percent of the questionnaire recipient advocate that suitable marriage age is 12-18 years. The after-effects of early marriage on health and death during pregnancy are thought to decrease with education and nutrition. Evidence from localities reflect that women empowerment is low and as a consequence, social development factors are also affecting cultural fabric.

African Union. 2003. Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa [Maputo Protocol]. http://www.achpr.org/files/instruments/women-protocol/achpr_instr_proto_women_eng.pdf.

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The Effects of Traditional and Religious Practices of Child Marriage on Africa’s Socio-Economic Development: A Review of Research, Reports and Toolkits from Africa. African Union: Campaign to End Child Marriage in Africa. http://children.pan.org.za/sites/default/files/publicationdocuments/Study on Tradition%26 Religion Childmarriage Africa_report.pdf.

CEDAW Committee (Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women). 1994. “General Recommendation No. 21: Equality in Marriage and Family Relations.” In General Recommendations Adopted by the Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women.